All posts by Matt Demczyk

Wildfire Smoke From Canada To Affect Ohio Again This Summer

(ONN) – Wildfires in Canada are likely to bring unhealthy air conditions back to the Buckeye State this summer.

Last year’s wildfires in Canada created unhealthy air quality conditions throughout Ohio in the months of June and July with hazy conditions that forced school sports teams to move practices indoors.

Experts suggest that a warmer and drier than usual summer forecast for this summer will create patterns similar to last year.

With Canadian wildfires in the news again, drifting smoke has yet to be a problem in Ohio with most statewide locations reporting good air quality.

The exceptions, so far, are areas around Toledo, Columbus and Cincinnati which are listed as moderate.

 

Mannen To Succeed Hennigan As Marathon CEO

(From Marathon Petroleum Corp.)

Marathon Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: MPC) today announced its leadership transition plan, with all positions effective August 1, 2024. At that time, MPC President Maryann T. Mannen will succeed Michael J. Hennigan as Chief Executive Officer and will join the Board of Directors; Hennigan will transition from CEO to Executive Chairman of the Board; and, continuing as the Board’s strong independent voice, MPC Chairman John Surma has been elected to serve as Lead Director.

Hennigan has led MPC as CEO since March 2020 and joined the Board of Directors in April 2020. Mannen has served as President since January of this year, after previously serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since January 2021. Surma became independent Chairman of the Board in April 2020, having served as a member of the Board since 2011. 

“Mike’s leadership of MPC has been marked by a time of tremendous success,” said Surma. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to thank Mike, Maryann and the entire team for their relentless pursuit of shareholder value. Our team’s commitment to MPC’s core values of safety and environmental stewardship, integrity, respect, inclusion and collaboration has been foundational to realizing great achievements.” 

During Hennigan’s leadership as CEO, MPC’s accomplishments include:

  • Delivering on transformative strategic priorities to structurally lower cost, improve commercial performance and increase competitiveness of the company’s portfolio;
  • Strategic sale of the retail business, resulting in robust capital return program;
  • Return of approximately $37 billion to MPC shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, for total shareholder return, with dividends reinvested, of 918% since March 2020; and
  • Significant growth of the midstream business operated by subsidiary MPLX LP, including expansion in the Marcellus, Utica and Permian basins.

“We are pleased to have Mike serve as Executive Chairman of the Board as we focus on a successful and seamless transition,” continued Surma. “The Board unanimously supports and looks forward to Maryann’s leadership as our next CEO. It’s an exciting time in the energy sector, and she will take the helm of a company with exceptional employees and an outstanding set of assets.”

Regarding Mannen’s election, Hennigan noted, “Our confidence in Maryann as the right leader for our company is based on her contributions to the MPC success story, as well as her proven track record as an energy-sector veteran of 38 years. She has demonstrated a keen understanding of our business, clear judgment and a strong financial expertise that will serve shareholders well.”

Mannen shared, “I am honored by the trust placed in me to lead this great company. My priorities align with those that have made us the peer-leading energy investment we are today – an unwavering focus on safety, the environment and operational performance as we pursue commercial results that translate into greater shareholder value. I’m excited about our future.”  

About Maryann Mannen
Mannen was elected MPC President effective January 2024, having previously served as Executive Vice President and CFO since January 2021. She has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the general partner of MPLX LP since February 2021. Before joining MPC, Mannen served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of TechnipFMC (a successor to FMC Technologies, Inc.), a leading global engineering services and energy technology company, since 2017. She previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of FMC Technologies, Inc. since 2014, as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since 2011, and in various positions of increasing responsibility with FMC Technologies, Inc. since 1986. Mannen also serves on the board of directors of Owens Corning, an insulation, roofing and fiberglass composites company.

About Mike Hennigan
Hennigan was elected MPC CEO effective March 2020. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors since April 2020. Hennigan has also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the general partner of MPLX LP since April 2020, as its CEO since November 2019 and as its President since June 2017. Before joining the general partner of MPLX LP, Hennigan was President, Crude, NGL and Refined Products of the general partner of Energy Transfer Partners L.P. He was President and Chief Executive Officer of Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. from 2012 to 2017, President and Chief Operating Officer beginning in 2010, and Vice President, Business Development, beginning in 2009. Hennigan also serves on the board of directors of Nutrien, a Canadian agricultural services company.

About John Surma
Surma was elected Chairman of the MPC Board of Directors effective April 2020, after joining the Board in 2011. He has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the general partner of MPLX LP since October 2012. Surma retired as the Chief Executive Officer of United States Steel Corporation in September 2013 and as Executive Chairman in December 2013. Prior to joining U. S. Steel, Surma served in several executive positions with Marathon. Surma also serves on the board of directors of Trane Technologies plc, a global climate innovator that designs, manufactures, sells and services solutions for heating, ventilation and air conditioning, transport refrigeration and custom refrigeration solutions, as well as the Board of Directors of Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), a diversified energy company.

About Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) is a leading, integrated, downstream energy company headquartered in Findlay, Ohio. The company operates the nation’s largest refining system. MPC’s marketing system includes branded locations across the United States, including Marathon brand retail outlets. MPC also owns the general partner and majority limited partner interest in MPLX LP, a midstream company that owns and operates gathering, processing, and fractionation assets, as well as crude oil and light product transportation and logistics infrastructure. More information is available at www.marathonpetroleum.com.

Findlay To Test Outdoor Warning Sirens

The City of Findlay Street Department will be testing the city’s outdoor warning sirens on Wednesday, May 15 beginning at 9 a.m.

Monthly, Findlay and Hancock County test their outdoor warning sirens at 10 a.m. on the first Monday of the month.  

During that test, a few of the city’s sirens didn’t go off. Repairs were made to those sirens and all city sirens will be tested on Wednesday.

Anyone with questions can contact the Street Department at (419) 424-7181 or publicworks@findlayohio.gov

 

Military Show/Armed Forces Day Celebration Coming Up

One of the biggest military shows in the country will once again be happening in Findlay.

The Findlay Show – 37th Annual Armed Forces Day Celebration runs Thursday, May 16 through Sunday morning May 19 at the Hancock County Fairgrounds.

John Cheney II is Commander of the Findlay Military Association.

 

 

The event will include food vendors, helicopter rides, a military vehicle swap meet, reenactors, and much more.

Click here for the full schedule.

 

Play Ball With The Mayor At Miracle Park

(From the City of Findlay)

You’re invited to Playball with the Mayor!

Join us on Thursday, June 13 from 6-8 PM at Miracle Park (behind the Cube) for a night of fun.

This family-friendly event is open to all ages.

The Findlay Fire Department and Police Departments will be present with vehicles to check out, the Keep Active, Keep Healthy bus will have activities available, and more.

Movement Church will be providing free popcorn and hot dogs for the event.

We hope you will join us for a night of community fun!

If you have any questions, or would like to get involved, please contact the Mayor’s Office at mayor@findlayohio.gov or (419) 424-7137.

 

Boy Scouts Changing Name To ‘Scouting America’

(From Marc Kogan, Scout Executive for the Black Swamp Area Council)

The Boy Scouts of America announced that it will be changing its name to Scouting America. This change reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to welcoming every youth in America to experience the benefits of Scouting. The name change will go into effect on February 8, 2025, the organization’s 115th birthday.

This announcement also comes as the organization celebrates the fifth anniversary of welcoming girls into Cub Scouting and Scouts BSA programs. Boy Scouts of America currently serves 176,234 girls and young women across all programs, including more than 6,000 who have earned Eagle Scout status.

According to Marc Kogan Scout Executive for the Black Swamp Area Council,  “We are excited to continue to welcome all youth into Scouting.  Scouting makes youth prepared for life teaching today’s youth to become leaders of tomorrow!”

Scouting America builds on the organization’s 114 years of helping America’s youth. Its ongoing goal is to provide young people with a safe environment where they can learn meaningful life skills and have fun, educational experiences, fostering their growth and future outcomes as leaders, and be prepared for life. At the same time, values instilled by the Scout Oath and Law help prepare young people for lives of purpose and impact.

Scouting in the Black Swamp Area Council began in 1915 when the Scouting program was introduced to the young people of West Central and Northwestern Ohio. The council serves the counties of Allen, Auglaize, Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Mercer, Paulding, Putnam, Seneca, Van Wert and Williams.  The Black Swamp Area Council has two unique and outstanding outdoor leadership centers, Camp Lakota in Defiance and County Camp Berry in Hancock County.

Scouting provides the adventure of camping, hiking, and outdoor fun while using these outdoor educational programs to teach personal responsibility, citizenship, character development, achievement of specific goals and service to others. The Scout Oath and Law provide the foundation of the Scouting movement.

More than 5,000 individuals are participating in the local programs of Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Explorers and/or adult volunteers.

More than 130 million Americans have been through Scouting programs since its founding in 1910, and currently, more than 1 million youth, including both men and women, are served by 477,000 dedicated adult volunteers in local councils throughout the country. To date, more than 2.75 million youth have earned Scouting’s highest rank of Eagle Scout.

In addition to supporting the nation’s youth, Scouting America will continue to be an important asset to strengthen our communities, having provided more than 7 million hours of volunteer services for community improvement and other projects across the country.

 

FEMA To Visit Ohio Communities To Assist Tornado Survivors

(From the Federal Emergency Management Agency)

Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams from FEMA will be available this week to assist in Ohio communities affected by the March 14 tornadoes. Teams will help residents navigate the federal assistance process. DSA teams will begin in areas of Logan County and may move to the other impacted counties in the weeks ahead.

DSA personnel visit communities designated as federal disaster areas to help homeowners and renters apply with FEMA and quickly identify and address immediate and emerging needs. They also can provide application status updates and referrals to additional community resources.

DSA teams will never ask for or accept money and will always be wearing a FEMA identification badge with a photograph. A FEMA shirt, vest or jacket is not proof of identity. While helping someone apply, they will ask for personal information, including social security number, annual income and bank information. Residents are encouraged to ask for identification before providing any personal information. They can also call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 to verify a FEMA visit is legitimate.

Homeowners and renters in Auglaize, Crawford, Darke, Delaware, Hancock, Licking, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Richland, and Union counties with uninsured or underinsured disaster-related loss from the March 14 tornadoes don’t have to wait for a DSA team to apply for assistance.

To apply, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA mobile app or call 800-621-3362. If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply.

For even more information about the disaster recovery operation in Ohio, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4777.  

 

Library Seeking Reading Camp Tutors

The Findlay-Hancock County Public Library is seeking reading camp tutors for the summer.

Tutors will meet with K-2 students from June 4 – July 26 on Mondays and Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Arcadia United Methodist Church.

No tutoring experience is needed and volunteers will be provided with training before Reading Camp begins. 

Tutors should be 16 or older.

Click here to sign up or you can also fill out an application at the library.

 

Hancock County Farmers’ Market Opens For The Season

(From the Hancock County Farmers’ Market)

The Hancock County Farmers’ Market is in its 19th season.

You are invited to the market on Thursday afternoons, 4 to 6 pm, from May through the end of October.

All of our member/vendors come from Hancock and the surrounding counties.

You can tell they enjoy what they do, and it shows in their hard work, skill, and presentation.

Is the market cash only?

You can certainly use cash. You can visit the WELCOME canopy at the market to purchase tokens that spend like cash with your credit/debit card. The market welcomes the Ohio Direction Card. Produce Perks and Power of Produce for kids are available, too. Stop by the WELCOME canopy for more information.

Where is the farmers’ market held?

You can find the farmers’ market in downtown Findlay across from the Post Office in the parking lot of Marathon Center for the Performing Arts, at 200 West Main Cross.

Off-street parking is free. No one will receive a ticket in the MCPA lot after 4:00 pm on Thursdays.

 

Interstate 75 Ramps Closing For Repairs

The Ohio Department of Transportation is letting people know of some ramp closures on Interstate 75 in northern Hancock County.

ODOT says the I-75 northbound ramps at State Route 613 will be closed from Thursday, May 16 to Saturday, May 25 for concrete pavement repairs.

State Route 613, between the I-75 overpass and Van Buren, will be restricted to local traffic only.

Get more details from ODOT below.

 

https://twitter.com/ODOT_NWOhio/status/1789985255677468967